Greetings! If you’re seeking to expand your French vocabulary and communicate the number “eighty eight” in this beautiful language, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say “eighty eight” in French, providing you with tips, examples, and even a glimpse into regional variations. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
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Formal Expression: Quatre-vingt-huit
In formal French, the term commonly used to refer to the number “eighty eight” is “quatre-vingt-huit”. It literally translates to “four-twenties-eight”. The French number system has a unique structure compared to English, with multiples of ten taking center stage. “Quatre-vingt” translates directly to “four-twenties”. Let’s break it down further:
- Quatre (four): This represents the number “four” in French.
- Vingt (twenty): Unlike English, where we directly say the number “twenty”, French uses “vingt”, meaning “twenty”.
- Huit (eight): This indicates the number “eight” in French.
Remember that in French, the numbers from 70 to 99 contain elements from both the twenties and the units. Now let’s move on to the informal way of saying “eighty eight” in French.
Informal Expression: Quatre-vingts-huit
In more casual situations or informal conversations, French speakers tend to drop the second “-vingt” in “quatre-vingt-huit” and simply say “quatre-vingts-huit”. This form is more commonly used in everyday discussions where the strictest formalities are not necessary.
While the term “quatre-vingts-huit” might seem strange at first, it translates to “four-twenty-eight” in English. Here’s a breakdown:
- Quatre (four): This still represents the number “four” in French.
- Vingts (twenty): The usage of “vingts” instead of “vingt” adds a touch of informality. It still signifies “twenty”.
- Huit (eight): Unchanged, this indicates the number “eight”.
Now that we have covered the formal and informal expressions, let’s explore some additional tips and examples that will enhance your understanding of using “eighty eight” in French.
Additional Tips and Examples
1. Gender Agreement: In French, remember to match the gender of the number with the noun it is describing. For example, “eighty eight books” would be “quatre-vingt-huit livres” whereas “eighty eight chairs” would be “quatre-vingt-huit chaises”.
2. Multiplying with Eighty Eight: To multiply a number with “eighty eight” in French, you can simply follow the pattern:
“Number X eighty eight” – “Nombre X quatre-vingt-huit.”
Here are a few practical examples to illustrate:
He has eighty eight books. – Il a quatre-vingt-huit livres.
She bought eighty eight apples. – Elle a acheté quatre-vingt-huit pommes.
There are eighty eight students in the classroom. – Il y a quatre-vingt-huit étudiants dans la classe.
We need to travel eighty eight kilometers. – Nous devons parcourir quatre-vingt-huit kilomètres.
3. Using “Et” between the tens and units: In some regions, French speakers insert “et” (meaning “and”) between the tens and units when saying numbers in the eighties to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of “quatre-vingt-huit”, they say “quatre-vingt et huit”. Although it is not universally used, this variation is worth being aware of.
4. Informal Pronunciation Tip: In informal French conversations, it is common for native speakers to shorten “quatre-vingts-huit” to “quat’ vingt-huit”. This variation may be more prevalent in specific regions or among younger French speakers.
So, whether you’re engaging in formal or informal conversations, you now have a solid understanding of how to say “eighty eight” in French. Remember to practice and immerse yourself in French culture to further enhance your language skills. Bonne chance (good luck)!
